wednesday verse

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:11

wednesday verse

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14

Help!

     This isn't a post that is begging my readers to assist me in some way. Nor am I in dire need of medical aid. :)

     Sometimes, though, I do feel like screaming "help!" Or feeling like I need to stop time in order to finish everything that I need to get done. As a freshman in high school, I am experiencing one of the most strenuous years of school in my whole education thus far. I'm taking outside classes for all of my subjects, out of which come copious amounts of homework. Add onto that daily violin and piano practice, and it makes for one VERY busy girl. I'm sure most of you have experienced a similar kind of overwhelming amount of work at one time or another. I just get so caught up in finishing everything on time that I forget that I can't do it. Because I can't - I'm not physically able to do everything by myself. The good news is, I don't have to do it by myself! God knows that we are too weak to do what he has called us to do by ourselves, and he loves to help us. Please read these next few verses about God giving us strength. These encourage me so much when I'm struggling with getting it all done.

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:29

 I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

     God is always there to give us the strength to do what he's called us to do. Remembering that and hiding these verses in our hearts can not only help us to get it all done, but to do everything we do for God's glory! 

-Sarah :)

     

Oh give thanks to the LORD. . .

". . .for he is good; his love endures forever!"
1 Chronicles 16:34


"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalm 100:4

     I love Thanksgiving. I love all of the activity going on in the kitchen; the crackling fire in the fireplace; the laughter of family and memories in the making. I love staying in the warm house while the cold wind blows through the bare trees and leaves carpet the wet, muddy earth outside. 

     I love taking time to remember all that God has blessed me with, and thanking him for it. He has blessed me with so much: my wonderful family, my lovely friends, a warm house, good food, and so much more. 

     My sister had the idea to write down one thing we are thankful for every day of November (My four sisters and I do it; our list is now a few pages long!). We have listed everything from God's grace, to new mattresses, to bananas. It's a wonderful way to cultivate a thankful spirit and attitude towards our gracious God who gives us everything good. 

     So my challenge for you is: make a list. Write down even just 10 things you're thankful for (I promise you, once you get started, you'll end up with way more than that). And thank God for all that he has blessed you with. Even thank him for the times of trouble and hardship, and the things that we just don't naturally feel thankful for; because ". . .we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." I thank God for hot chocolate even though I burned my tongue on it yesterday. :)

    And bless his name, like Psalm 100 says! Our all-powerful, loving God is worthy of our praise and thankfulness! Also, please read Psalm 136 (below). It's a wonderful song about all the wonderful things God has done and about giving thanks to him, for he is good!

    What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments box!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

-Sarah :)

Psalm 136 - 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong had and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever.

QUALIFIED

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14